Footswitch

ABSTRACT

A footswitch having an adjustable treadle and switch placements, thereby helping to make the footswitch ergonomically more correct for a variety of users.

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Serial No. 60/408,211, filed Sep. 4, 2002, and is acontinuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/166,339,filed Aug. 26, 2002, currently co-pending.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates generally to the field of surgicalconsoles and, more particularly, to footswitches used to controlmicrosurgical consoles.

[0003] During modern surgery, particularly ophthalmic surgery, thesurgeon uses a variety of pneumatic and electronically drivenmicrosurgical handpieces. The handpieces are operated by amicroprocessor-driven surgical console that receives inputs from thesurgeon or an assistant by a variety of peripheral devices includingfootswitches. Prior art footswitches are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.4,837,857 (Scheller, et al.), 4,965,417 (Massie), 4,983,901 (Lehmer),5,091,656 (Gahn), 5,268,624 (Zanger), 5,554,894 (Sepielli), 5,580,347(Reimels), 5,635,777 (Telymonde, et al.), 5,787,760 (Thorlakson),5,983,749 (Holtorf) and 6,179,829 B1 (Bisch, et al.) and InternationalPatent Application Publication Nos. WO 98/08442 (Bisch, et al.), WO00/12037 (Chen) and WO 02/01310 (Chen), the entire contents of whichbeing incorporated herein by reference. These patents, however, focusprimarily on functional attributes of footswitches, not the ergonomicsof footswitches.

[0004] Accordingly, a need continues to exist for an ergonomicallyimproved footswitch.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention improves upon the prior art surgicalfootswitches by providing a footswitch having an adjustable treadle andswitch placements, thereby helping to make the footswitch ergonomicallymore correct for a variety of users.

[0006] Accordingly, one objective of the present invention is to providea surgical footswitch that can be adjusted to accommodate differentsized feet.

[0007] Another objective of the present invention is to provide anergonomically adjustable surgical footswitch.

[0008] Another objective of the present invention is to provide asurgical footswitch having adjustable switches.

[0009] These and other advantages and objectives of the presentinvention will become apparent from the detailed description and claimsthat follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the surgical footswitch of thepresent invention.

[0011] FIGS. 2A-2C are enlarged plan views of the footswitch of thepresent invention illustrating the adjustability of the side switches.

[0012]FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the surgical footswitchillustrating the assembly of the side switches.

[0013] FIGS. 4A-4B are bottom plan views of the side switches that maybe used with the footswitch of the present invention illustrating theoperation of the rotational locking mechanism.

[0014]FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the footswitch of the presentinvention.

[0015]FIG. 6 is an exploded assembly drawing of the heel cup slideadjustment mechanism that may be used with the footswitch of the presentinvention.

[0016] FIGS. 7A-7B are top plan views of the heel cup that may be usedwith the footswitch of the present invention illustrating the operationof the slidable heel cup adjustment mechanism.

[0017]FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the footswitch of the presentinvention similar to FIG. 6, but illustrating the rotational operationof the treadle.

[0018] FIGS. 9A-9B are bottom plan views of the treadle switches thatmay be used with the footswitch of the present invention.

[0019]FIG. 10 is a side partial cross-sectional view of the footswitchof the present invention illustrating the location of the treadle pivotpoint with respect to the ankle of the user.

[0020] FIGS. 11A-11B are side plan view of the footswitch of the presentinvention illustrating the operation of the treadle rotation lock.

[0021]FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the footswitch of the presentinvention similar to FIGS. 6 and 8, but illustrating the rotationaloperation of the heel cup.

[0022]FIG. 13 is an exploded assembly drawing of the heel cup rotationmechanism.

[0023]FIG. 14 is a bottom plan view of the footswitch of the presentinvention.

[0024] FIGS. 15A-15C are cross-sectional view of the footswitch of thepresent invention illustrating the operation of the anti-gravity springplunger feet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] As best seen in FIG. 1, footswitch 10 of the present inventiongenerally includes base 12, treadle 14 having heel cup 16 and side orwing switches 18, all of which can be made from any suitable material,such as stainless steel, titanium or plastic. Base 12 may containprotective bumper 20 made from a relatively soft elastomeric material.As best seen in FIGS. 2A-2C, 3 and 4A-4B, side switches 18 may beadjusted inwardly (FIG. 2B) or outwardly (FIG. 2C) to increase ordecrease the distance between switches 18 and accommodate for variationsin the width of user foot 100. Such adjustment is accomplished bypushing on locking buttons 22, causing locking pin 24 on base 12 to bereleased from within detents 26 in switches 18 and rotating about pins28 in holes 30 located on base 12. When buttons 22 are released, springs32 push detents 26 against locking pin 24, thereby holding switches 18in a locked position. The relative position of switches 18 may bedetermined visually by the use of switch position indicators 34, as bestseen in FIGS. 2B and 2C.

[0026] As best seen in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7A-7B, the length of treadle 14may be adjusted by sliding movement of heel cup 16. As best seen in FIG.6, treadle 14 is mounted to treadle base 36 by thrust bearing 38,thereby allowing treadle 14 to pivot about axis 40. Heel cup slide 42 isreceived on treadle 14 and contains locking lever 44, which is held ontoheel cup slide 42 by retainers 46. Locking pins 48 are held withinlocking lever 44 by shafts 50. Locking pins 48 are biased into lockingpin holes 52 in treadle 14 by springs 54 pushing against locking pinretainer 56. In this manner, pushing on locking lever 44 pulls lockingpins 48 out of locking pin holes 52 and allows heel cup slide 42 toslide lengthwise along slots 58 in treadle 14 as illustrated in FIGS.7A-7B. The relative position of heel cup 16 relative to treadle 14 maybe visually indicated by indicators 60. In addition, treadle 14 maycontain raised reference point 62, indicating the center oftreadle 14.

[0027] The width and length adjustments described above preferably allowfootswitch 10 to be adjusted to accommodate the 5^(th) percentile femaleto the 95^(th) percentile male foot width and length, with or withoutshoes. As best seen in FIG. 10, ankle rotation axis 65 of foot 100 islocated behind pivot axis 68 of treadle 14 for all three treadlelengths.

[0028] As best seen in FIGS. 8 and 9A-9B, treadle 14 may rotate orcounter-rotate about thrust bearing 38 to operate left and rightswitches 64, which are mounted on treadle base 36. Return springs 66provide for automatic centering of treadle 14 following rotation. Asbest seen in FIGS. 11A and 11B, treadle base 36 contains alignment pin70 hat fits within hole 72 in base 12 when treadle 14 is in the resting,non-pivoted position. Such a construction prevent rotation of treadle 14to activation switches 64 when treadle is in the resting, non-pivotedposition (FIG. 11A), but allows rotation of treadle 14 when treadle 14is depressed or pivoted (FIG. 11B).

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, heel cup 16 is mounted to heel cupslide 42 using thrust bearing 74, alignment cap 76 and screws 82. Such aconstruction allow for the rotation of heel cup 16 independently of anyrotation of treadle 14 (as show in FIGS. 8 and 9A-9B) and allows for theoperation of side switches 18 when treadle is in the resting androtationally locked position (FIG. 11A). Return lever, 78, mounted toheel cup 16 acts against return springs 80 to provide for automaticcentering of heel cup 16 in the resting position.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15A-15C, bottom 85 of base 12 preferablyis covered by relatively high friction polymer (e.g., VERSAFLEX TPE)material 84 and contains a plurality of retractable, anti-gravityspring-loaded plunger feet 86 made from a low friction polymer material(e.g., DELRIN® acetal resin). As shown in FIG. 15A and 15B, when thereis no weight on footswitch 10, spring loaded plunger 86 project a shortdistance D (e.g., 0.04 inches) outwardly from bottom 84, therebycontacting the floor and allowing easy sliding of footswitch 10 onrelatively low friction plunger tips 88. As shown in FIG. 15C, whenweight is placed on footswitch 10, plungers 86 retract, and highfriction bottom 84 contacts the floor, thereby making it more difficultto slide footswitch 10 during use.

[0031] This description is given for purposes of illustration andexplanation. It will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant artthat modifications may be made to the invention as herein describedwithout departing from its scope or spirit.

We claim:
 1. A surgical footswitch, comprising: a) a base; b) a treadle mounted to the base; and c) a pair of side switches rotationally mounted to the base on either side of the treadle, the switches being adjustable relative to the treadle so as to increase or decrease the distance between the switches.
 2. The footswitch of claim 1 wherein the switches are locked in place by a locking pin fitted into the base being held within detents in the switches.
 3. The footswitch of claim 1 wherein the position of the switches is visually indicated by switch position indicators.
 4. The footswitch of claim 1 wherein the treadle contains a raised reference point for assisting in centering a foot on the treadle.
 5. The footswitch of claim 1 wherein the switches may be adjusted to accommodate the 5^(th) percentile female to the 95^(th) percentile male foot width, with or without shoes.
 6. A surgical footswitch, comprising: a) a base; b) a treadle mounted to the base; and c) a heel cup slidable retained on the treadle so as to adjustably increase or decrease a length of the treadle.
 7. The footswitch of claim 6 wherein the heel cup is prevented from sliding by a plurality of locking pins mounted on the heel cup, the locking pins fitting within locking holes in the treadle.
 8. The footswitch of claim 6 wherein the position of the heel cup is visually indicated by position indicators.
 9. The footswitch of claim 6 wherein the treadle contains a raised reference point for assisting in centering a foot on the treadle.
 10. The footswitch of claim 6 wherein the heel cup may be slidable adjusted to accommodate the 5^(th) percentile female to the 95^(th) percentile male foot length, with or without shoes.
 11. A surgical footswitch, comprising: a) a base; b) a treadle pivotally and rotationally mounted to the base; and c) a pair of switches mounted to the treadle so that rotation or counter-rotation of the treadle operates the switches.
 12. The footswitch of claim 11 further comprising a locking pin mounted on the treadle that fits within a locking hole in the base so as to prevent rotation of the treadle and operation of the switches when the treadle is in a resting, non-pivoted position.
 13. A surgical footswitch, comprising: a) a base; b) a treadle mounted to the base; and c) a heel cup rotationally mounted to the treadle so that the heel cup may be rotated independently of any movement of the treadle.
 14. The footswitch of claim 13 further comprising a pair of side switches rotationally mounted to the base on either side of the treadle, so that rotation of the heel cup allows operation of the switches independently of any movement of the treadle.
 15. A surgical footswitch, comprising: a) a base having a bottom; b) a treadle mounted to the base; c) a plurality of plungers retractably mounted within the base; and d) a relatively high friction material mounted to the base bottom, wherein the plungers retract within the base when weight is placed on the footswitch and extend outwardly from the base and the relatively high friction material when no weight is placed on the footswitch.
 16. The footswitch of claim 15 wherein the plungers are made from a relatively low friction material.
 17. A surgical footswitch, comprising: a) a base having a bottom; b) a treadle pivotally and rotationally mounted to the base; c) a pair of side switches rotationally mounted to the base on either side of the treadle, the side switches being operable without movement of the treadle and adjustable relative to the treadle so as to increase or decrease the distance between the side switches; d) a heel cup slidable and rotatably retained on the treadle so as to adjustably increase or decrease a length of the treadle; e) a pair of switches mounted to the treadle so that rotation or counter-rotation of the treadle operates the switches; f) a plurality of plungers retractably mounted to the bottom; and g) a relatively high friction material mounted to the base bottom, wherein the plungers retract within the base when weight is placed on the footswitch and extend outwardly from the base and the relatively high friction material when no weight is placed on the footswitch.
 18. The footswitch of claim 17 wherein the side switches are locked in place by a locking pin fitted into the base being held within detents in the side switches.
 19. The footswitch of claim 17 wherein the position of the side switches is visually indicated by switch position indicators.
 20. The footswitch of claim 17 wherein the treadle contains a raised reference point for assisting in centering a foot on the treadle.
 21. The footswitch of claim 17 wherein the side switches may be adjusted to accommodate the 5^(th) percentile female to the 95^(th) percentile male foot width, with or without shoes.
 22. The footswitch of claim 17 wherein the heel cup is prevented from sliding by a plurality of locking pins mounted on the heel cup, the locking pins fitting within locking holes in the treadle.
 23. The footswitch of claim 17 wherein the position of the heel cup is visually indicated by position indicators.
 24. The footswitch of claim 17 wherein the heel cup may be slidable adjusted to accommodate the 5^(th) percentile female to the 95^(th) percentile male foot length, with or without shoes.
 25. The footswitch of claim 17 further comprising a locking pin mounted on the treadle that fits within a locking hole in the base so as to prevent rotation of the treadle and operation of the switches when the treadle is in a resting, non-pivoted position.
 26. The footswitch of claim 17 wherein the plungers are made from a relatively low friction material.
 27. A surgical footswitch, comprising: a) a base; b) a treadle mounted to the base so as to be pivotal about a pivot axis; and c) a heel cup slidable retained on the treadle so as to adjustably increase or decrease a length of the treadle while maintaining the pivot axis slightly ahead of an ankle rotation axis of a foot of a user.
 28. The footswitch of claim 27 wherein the heel cup is prevented from sliding by a plurality of locking pins mounted on the heel cup, the locking pins fitting within locking holes in the treadle.
 29. The footswitch of claim 27 wherein the position of the heel cup is visually indicated by position indicators.
 30. The footswitch of claim 27 wherein the treadle contains a raised reference point for assisting in centering a foot on the treadle.
 31. The footswitch of claim 27 wherein the heel cup may be slidable adjusted to accommodate the 5^(th) percentile female to the 95^(th) percentile male foot length, with or without shoes. 